Federer flawless in final

Roger Federer is now the oldest Masters 1000 champion in ATP history. Photo: Getty Images

Roger Federer produced a remarkable display of aggressive, all-court tennis to beat Stan Wawrinka in straight sets in the Indian Wells final.

Roger Federer won his fifth title at Indian Wells on Sunday with a commanding win over fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka.

In just 80 minutes, Federer claimed a 6-4 7-5 victory.

From 2-0 in the second set – the first time Federer had dropped serve all tournament – Federer won seven of the next 10 games with an overwhelming display of aggressive, forceful tennis.

Federer, who also won the Australian Open, has now won the two biggest titles so far of the 2017 season and becomes the oldest ATP Masters tournament champion, at 35 years and seven months.

Andre Agassi, at 34 years and three months, previously held that record when he won in Cincinnati in 2004.

“I’m not as surprised as I was in Australia, but still this comes as a big, big surprise to me, nevertheless, to win here again and beating the players that I did and the way I did. I mean, couldn’t be more happy,” Federer said.

“It’s an absolute, huge start to the year for me. Last year didn’t win any titles. I don’t think I was in any finals except maybe Brisbane last year. The change is dramatic, and it feels great.”

Federer began against Wawrinka as he had all tournament – dominant on serve.

With games going on serve for much of the first set, Federer nudged ahead 4-3 having dropped just two points on serve all match.

Ahead 5-4, he began to make headway on Wawrinka’s delivery. When the third seed missed a forehand, Federer arrived at set point and converted it after a magnificent rally that ended when Wawrinka committed exactly the same error.

Yet no sooner did Federer have the advantage than Wawrinka snatched it back.

He reached 0-40 in the opening game of the second set and although Federer staved off two break points, he couldn’t survive a third.

Federer smacked a forehand return winner in the next game and held two break points before Wawrinka consolidated for a 2-0 lead.

Then came another momentum swing. Federer, showcasing incredibly retrieving abilities, hung with Wawrinka in a brutal rally, returned an overhead to remain alive and then passed his compatriot with a forehand to level at 2-2.